Modular refrigeration cassette

ABSTRACT

The interior space within a refrigeration unit cassette ( 50 ) associated with a refrigerated merchandiser ( 10 ) is divided by a division wall ( 68 ) into a first section in air flow communication with the interior product display space of the cabinet ( 20 ), and a second section isolated from said first section and in fluid flow communication with the environment exterior of the cabinet. An evaporator module ( 160 ) disposed within the first section, and a condenser module ( 170 ) and a compressor are disposed within the second section. The refrigeration cassette ( 50 ) is selectively insertable in to and out of the equipment compartment to facilitate servicing of the refrigeration equipment therein, including removal and replacement of the evaporator module ( 160 ) and the condenser module ( 170 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/663,112, filed Mar. 18, 2005, and entitled MODULAR REFRIGERATIONCASSETTE DESIGN FOR USE IN REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER, which applicationis incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

This application is related to the following applications subject toassignment to the common assignee of this application and filed with theUnited States Patent and Trademark Office on the same date as thisapplication:

-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.    210_(—)817NP), entitled “REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER”;-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.    210_(—)816NP), entitled “SEALING SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE”;-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.    210_(—)879NP), entitled “MODULAR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE WITH    CONDENSATE EVAPORATIVE TRAY”;-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.    210_(—)818NP), entitled “BOTTOM DECK ASSEMBLY FOR REFRIGERATED    MERCHANDISER”; and-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.    210_(—)819NP), entitled “EVAPORATOR FAN/MOTOR ASSEMBLY MOUNTING    BRACKET”. Each of the afore-listed patent applications is    incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to refrigerated merchandisers in generaland, more particularly, to a refrigerated merchandiser including arefrigeration unit stowed in a compartment separate from therefrigerated interior product space of the refrigerated cabinet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Refrigerated merchandisers have a refrigeration system associatedtherewith for providing the cooled environment within a refrigeratedinterior product space defined within the cabinet of the refrigeratedmerchandiser. The refrigeration systems of such refrigeratedmerchandisers commonly employ a conventional refrigeration cycle andinclude an evaporator and an evaporator fan operatively associated withthe refrigerated interior product space of the refrigerated cabinet, aswell as a condenser, a condenser fan, and compressor. In stand alonecabinets, the compressor, condenser and condenser fan are housed in anequipment compartment separate from and insulated from the refrigeratedinterior product space of the refrigerated cabinet. Refrigerant linesconnect the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator in aconventional manner to form a closed circuit. A refrigerant iscirculated by the compressor through the condenser and the evaporatorbefore returning to the compressor. Air within the insulatedrefrigerated interior product space of the refrigerated cabinet iscirculated by the evaporator fan through the evaporator in heat exchangerelationship with the refrigerant so as to cool the air. The evaporatorand evaporator fan may be disposed within the cooled interior of therefrigerated cabinet, for example in the upper region thereof.

However, it is well-known that the evaporator and evaporator fan mayalso be housed in the equipment compartment in a section of theequipment compartment insulated from the compressor, condenser andcondenser fan. Among other uses, refrigerated merchandisers of this typemay be used as product display cabinets for refrigerated or frozenfoods, as vending machines, and as cold beverage merchandisers insupermarkets, grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, andother retail establishments. For example, cold beverages, such as softdrinks, beer, wine coolers, etc. are commonly displayed in refrigeratedmerchandisers for self-service purchase by customers. Conventionalbeverage merchandisers of this type include an insulated cabinetdefining a refrigerated interior product display space having one ormore glass doors that provide access to that product display space. Thebeverage product, typically in cans or bottles, single or in six-packs,is stored on shelves within the refrigerated display space of thecabinet. To purchase a beverage, the customer opens one of the doors andreaches into the refrigerated cabinet to retrieve the desired productfrom the shelf.

Refrigerated merchandisers equipped with refrigeration units disposedbeneath the refrigerated cabinet are disclosed, for example, by Rudicket al. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,347,827; 5,402,654; 5,417,079; and 5,417,081.In these refrigerated merchandisers, the refrigerated air from therefrigeration unit flows up from the equipment compartment through aflow duct along the back wall of the cabinet, along the top wall of thecabinet toward the front of the cabinet and down the front of thecabinet to the floor of the product display zone. Refrigerated air mayalso enter the product display zone from the rear flow duct through aplurality of openings in the panel separating the flow duct from theproduct display zone. The refrigerated air from the product display zonereturns to the equipment compartment, entering thereto upstream of theevaporator refrigeration unit through an air return inlet openingthrough the cabinet floor.

The refrigeration unit disclosed therein includes an evaporator,condenser and compressor collectively arranged on a base supported on aplurality of skids affixed to the bottom of the base. The compressor andcondenser are positioned on the front portion of the base, and areseparated from the evaporator by an insulated vertical partitiondisposed therebetween. The evaporator is disposed atop an evaporator panwhich collects water condensed from the air passing through theevaporator. The collected water drains out of the evaporator pan into ashallow condenser pan located on the floor of the base in the exhaustpath of the condenser fan whereby hot air exhausting from the condenserpasses over the condenser pan and evaporates the water collectedtherein.

In refrigerated merchandisers having air passageways in the wallseparating the refrigerated interior product space from the equipmentcompartment, undesired spill liquids and other contaminants may enterthe refrigeration unit during operation, service or transportation.Spilled liquids draining into the refrigeration unit from the productdisplay zone through the air inlet opening may foul or otherwise damagerefrigerant unit components such as the evaporator heat exchanger coils,motors and fans. Spilled liquids could also damage surfaces bounding theairflow path through the refrigeration unit. Liquid spills couldoriginate from product breakage within the product display zone,cleaning and maintenance operations, or condensation.

The need exists for a refrigeration cassette wherein the cassette isadapted to handle spilled liquids and condensate without damage torefrigeration unit components or surfaces. The refrigeration cassetteshould also accommodate and facilitate the use of modular refrigerationunit components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a refrigeration cassettehaving improved reliability and serviceability.

It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a refrigerationcassette adapted to drain liquid spills away from damage susceptiblerefrigeration unit components.

It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a refrigerationcassette incorporating a liner with contoured surfaces for improvedairflow.

It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a refrigerationcassette incorporating a liner formed of a material with improvedchemical resistance.

It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a refrigerationcassette adapted to accommodate and facilitate the use of modularrefrigeration unit components.

A modular refrigeration cassette is provided for a refrigeratedmerchandiser having a cabinet having a refrigerated interior space forhousing a product in a refrigerated environment intended for selectionby consumers. The refrigeration cassette is disposed in operativeassociation with the interior space in an equipment compartmentseparated from the refrigerated interior space by a common wall. Thecommon wall has a first opening therein providing air flow communicationbetween the refrigerated interior space and the equipment compartment.The refrigeration cassette includes a generally box-like structuredefining an interior space having a first section in air flowcommunication with said first opening, and a second section isolatedfrom said first section and in fluid flow communication with theenvironment exterior of the cabinet. In an embodiment. The box-likestructure includes a front plate, a back plate, a pair of side platesand a base plate collectively defining an interior space, and a divisionwall extending between the respective side plates divide the interiorspace within said box-like structure into the respective first andsecond sections. An evaporator module disposed within the first section.A condenser module and a compressor are disposed within the secondsection. The compressor is connected in refrigerant flow communicationwith the evaporator module and the condenser module for circulatingrefrigeration through the evaporator module and the condenser module.The box-like structure is selectively insertable in to and out of theequipment compartment.

The evaporator module may include a housing, an evaporator coil disposedwithin the housing, and an evaporator fan/motor assembly operativelyassociated with the evaporator coil and mounted to the housing. Thecondenser module may include a condenser coil and a condenser fan/motorassembly operatively associated with the condenser coil.

A liner may be disposed within the first section of the interior spaceof the refrigeration cassette, the liner including a bowl-likedepression adapted to receive the evaporator module. The liner may havecontoured surfaces to reduce airflow losses and may be made of plasticor other material having a relatively high chemical resistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of these and objects of the invention,reference will be made to the following detailed description of theinvention which is to be read in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, where:

FIG. 1 is a sectioned side elevation view of a refrigerated merchandiserequipped with a modular refrigeration cassette;

FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular refrigerationcassette in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectioned side elevation view of the modular refrigerationcassette depicted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view taken along section 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a liner forthe modular refrigeration cassette depicted in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, there is depicted arefrigerated cold beverage merchandiser, designated generally by thereference numeral 10, including an interior product display space 100for holding product 110 to be purchased, such as for example bottled orcanned soda, milk, water, juices, fruit drinks, beer and otherbeverages. Although the invention will be described herein withreference to the depicted embodiment of a refrigerated cold beveragemerchandiser, it is to be understood that that invention may be appliedto other refrigerated display merchandisers for displaying perishableand frozen comestibles and beverages, including for example meats,poultry, fish, diary products, prepackaged frozen foods, and otherproducts that need to be maintained in a controlled environment.

The beverage merchandiser 10 includes a cabinet 20 housing arefrigerated interior product display space 100 and a separate equipmentcompartment 55 disposed separate from, and may be heat transferinsulated from, the refrigerated interior product display space 100. Thecabinet 20 has a top wall 22 and a surrounding side wall structureincluding a rear wall 34, a front wall 32, and opposed generallyvertically extending side walls 36 and 38. The cabinet also includes alower wall 24 disposed between the refrigerated interior product displayspace 100 located thereabove and the equipment compartment 55 locatedthere beneath. The interior product display space 100 may be accessedfrom exteriorly of the cabinet 20 through an access opening, which inthe depicted embodiment is an open area at the front of the cabinet.This open area may be open to the environment or may be covered, as inthe depicted embodiment, by at least one door 40 mounted to the cabinet20. The door 40 extends across the open area and has a transparentviewing area, for example a glass panel, through which at least aportion of the interior product display space 100 can be viewed. Thedoor 40 is selectively positionable between a closed position coveringthe open area and an open position in which consumers may access theinterior product display space 100 to remove a product for purchase.Although the embodiment of the display merchandiser 10 depicted in thedrawing has only one door 40, it is to be understood that the displaymerchandiser may have one, two, three or more doors that collectivelycover the open area when in the closed position. The door or doors 40may be mounted to the cabinet 20 in a conventional manner, for exampleon hinges for pivotal movement or on a track for sliding movementbetween an open and closed position.

In the depicted embodiment, the top wall 22, the lower wall 24, rearwall 34 and the side walls 36 and 38 are heat transfer insulated forinsulating the refrigerated interior product display space 100, from theenvironment exterior of the interior product display space 100. Aplurality of shelves 112 are disposed within the interior productdisplay space 100. The shelves 112 are adapted as appropriate to supportthe particular product being displayed for purchase. The specificnumber, arrangement and configuration of the shelves 112 is not germaneto the invention and is within the skill of one of ordinary skill in theart to select for the particular product being displayed.

A rear panel 134 is provided spaced inwardly of the rear side wall 34 toestablish, in part, a refrigerated air supply duct 104 between the rearside wall 34 and a rear panel 134. The interior product display space100 within the refrigerated interior of the display cabinet 20 isbounded by the top wall 22, the lower wall 24, the side walls 36, 38,and in part by each of the rear wall 34 and the rear panel 134. In thedepicted embodiment, refrigerated air enters into the product displayspace 100 to cool product displayed therein in part through an airoutlet 109 at the upper end of the air supply duct 104 and in partthrough a plurality of openings 135 provided in the rear panel 134.Refrigerated air exits the product display space 100 through an opening102 provided in the lower wall 24.

The equipment compartment 55 is located within the cabinet 20 beneaththe lower wall 24 and is separated by the lower wall 24 from therefrigerated interior product display space 100 of the cabinet 20. Thelower wall 24 forms a common wall separating the refrigerated interiorspace and the equipment compartment. The lower wall has a top surfacethat forms the floor or deck of the interior product display space andhas an under surface that faces the refrigeration unit cassette 50 ofthe refrigeration unit 15 housed within the equipment compartment. Therefrigeration unit 15 includes an evaporator module 160, including anevaporator coil 60 disposed within a housing 61 and at least oneassociated evaporator fan/motor assembly 62, a condenser module 170including a condenser coil 70 and at least one associated condenserfan/motor assembly 72, and a compressor 74. The evaporator coil 60 andits associated evaporator fan/motor assembly 62 are housed within afirst section 53 of the refrigeration unit cassette 50 which isseparated by division wall 68 from a second section 57 of therefrigeration unit cassette 50 wherein the condenser 70, its associatedcondenser fan/motor assembly 72 and the compressor 74 are housed. Thefirst section 53 of the refrigeration unit cassette 50 is sized toaccommodate a range of evaporator modules 160 having differentcapacities and the second section 57 of the refrigeration unit cassette50 is sized to accommodate a range of condenser modules 170 of differentcapacities, thereby ensuring that a given cassette design may be usedover a relatively wide range of refrigeration capacities.

Referring now also to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the refrigeration cassette 50comprises a generally rectangular box-like structure defining aninterior space having a top flange 52, a base plate 54, and asurrounding wall structure 56 extending generally vertically between thetop flange 52 and the base plate 54 formed of a front plate 56A, a backplate 56B, and opposed side plates 56C. The division wall 68 extendsbetween the opposed side plates 56C from an upper, forward region of thecassette 50 to the back plate 56B to separate the interior of therefrigeration unit cassette 50 into the aforementioned first section 53and second section 57. The condenser coil 70, its associated condenserfan/motor assembly 72, and the compressor 74 are mounted to the baseplate 54 which forms the floor of the cassette refrigeration unit 50.The condenser coil 70 and its associated condenser fan/motor assemblymay be mounted to a common support plate, which is adapted to be mountedto the base plate 54, thereby forming the condenser module 170. The baseplate 54 is slidably mounted within the compartment 55 to facilitatedisposition of the cassette 50 into and out of the compartment 55 inorder to facilitate servicing of the refrigeration equipment therein,including removal and replacement of the evaporator module 160 and thecondenser module 170 as distinct units. A condensate tray 76 may beprovided to collect condensate dripping from the evaporator coil 60. Thecondensate tray 76 serves as a condensate evaporation tray whereincondensate collecting therein is evaporated by hot air exhausted fromthe condenser as the hot air passes over the condensate tray 76.

The evaporator coil 60, the condenser coil 70 and the compressor 74 arecoupled in a closed-loop refrigerant circulation circuit (not shown) ina conventional manner for refrigerating air from the interior productdisplay space 100. The condenser fan/motor assembly 72, typically asingle fan and motor, is operative, typically only when the compressor74 is in operation, to draw air from outside the refrigeratedmerchandiser 10, such as for example from the ambient environmentexternal thereof through the front grille 12 provided in the lower frontwall 32 of the cabinet 20, through an opening 59 provided in the frontplate 56A of the cassette 50 and over the condenser coil 70. As theexternal air passes over the condenser coil 70 in heat exchangerelationship with the refrigerant being passed therethrough by thecompressor 74, the refrigerant is cooled and the air heated. Havingtraversed the condenser coil 70, the hot air is exhausted out of thecompartment 55 to return to the external environment through exhaustchannel 77 formed beneath the first section 53 in the aft portion of thesecond section 57 of the cassette 50. A portion of the air drawn throughthe cassette 50 by the condenser fan passes over the compressor 74 toassist in cooling the compressor.

The cooled refrigerant is circulated from the condenser coil 70 throughthe closed-loop refrigerant circulation circuit (not shown) to theevaporator coil 60. The evaporator fan/motor assembly 62, which may be asingle fan and motor or a plurality of fans with associated motors, isoperative to draw air into the first section 53 of the refrigerationunit 50, also referred to as the evaporator compartment, from theinterior product display space 100 through the air return inlet opening102 in the lower wall 24 and thence pass the air over the evaporatorcoil 60 to and through the refrigerated air supply duct 104 to return tothe product display space 100. As the circulating air passes over theevaporator coil 60, the air is cooled as it passes in heat exchangerelationship with the chilled refrigerant circulated through theevaporator coil 60 by the compressor 74 and the refrigerant is heatedand evaporated. The evaporator fan 62 circulates refrigerated air havingtraversed the evaporator coil 60 from the evaporator compartment 53 backinto the refrigerated interior product display space 100 through areturn air outlet 108 located in the lower wall 24 aft of rear panel 134and into refrigerated air supply duct 104.

A cover plate 120 may be disposed over the return air inlet 102 inspaced relationship with and superadjacent the base wall 24 therebyforming flow passage between the cover plate 120 and the base wall 24through which refrigerated air returning from the product display space100 flows into the air return inlet 102. The cover plate 120 covers theair return inlet 102, thereby causing the downwardly directedrefrigerated air to flow outwardly toward the surrounding walls of thecabinet as the refrigerated air approaches the lower region of theproduct display space 100 in order to pass beneath the cover plate 120into the air return inlet 102 in the lower wall 24. In doing so, therefrigerated air passes through the product on the lower shelves to moreevenly cool that product and to block the refrigerated air fromfunneling downwardly directly into the return air return inlet 102. Thecover plate 120 also restricts the flow of spills or leaks from productin the product display space 100 from flowing directly into theevaporator compartment 53 and fouling the evaporator and/or evaporatorfan assembly.

In one embodiment, the cover plate 120 includes a peripheral flange 126extending generally vertically therefrom to the base wall 24 forsupporting the cover plate 120 over the air return inlet 102 in the basewall 24. A plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 125 areprovided in the circumferential flange 126 to form the air flow passageconnecting the refrigerated interior space 100 in flow communicationwith the air return inlet 102 to the evaporator compartment 53 of therefrigeration unit cassette 50.

The division plate 68 has a forward portion 68A and an aft portion 68B.The aft portion 68B of the division plate 68 extends generallyhorizontally beneath the evaporator assembly in spaced relationship withand above the base plate 54 to form a channel 77 in the aft portion ofthe condenser compartment 57. The channel 77 constitutes an exhaustchannel through which hot air exiting the condenser coil 70 passes outof the equipment compartment 55 to the environment external of therefrigerated merchandiser 10 through an opening at the back of thecabinet 20. The condenser coil 70, its associated condenser fan/motorassembly 72, and the compressor 74 are mounted to the forward portion ofthe base plate 54. The forward portion 68A of the division plate 68slopes downwardly from an upper, forward region of the condensercompartment 57 to the meet the aft portion 68B of the division plate 68.In doing so, a converging channel 73 is defined between the base plate54 and the forward portion 68A of the division plate extending form theoutlet of the condenser 70 to open to the exhaust channel 77. Theconverging channel 73 in effect defines a nozzle for accelerating thecondenser exhaust airflow passing therethrough to a relative highervelocity, that is a velocity substantially higher than the velocity ofthe condenser exhaust airflow exiting the condenser module 170. Theforward section 68A of the division plate 68 is depicted as having twosections of different slope. It is to be understood, however, that theforward section 68A of the division plate 68 may have a constant slopeor even a curvilinear slope, as desired.

The condensate dripping from the evaporator coil 60, which is disposedin the aft portion of the evaporator compartment 53, drains therefromthrough a drain tube 89 passing through the division wall 68 into thecondensate tray 76 disposed in the exhaust channel 77 beneath theevaporator compartment 53 to collect condensate dripping from theevaporator 60. The condensate tray 76 may be integrally formed in thebase plate 54. For example, the condensate tray 76 may be defined by araised brim 78 stamped in the base plate 54 as illustrated in FIGS. 4and 5. Alternatively, the condensate tray 76 could be a separatestructure secured to the base plate 54. For example, the condensate tray76 may be defined by a raised brim 78 stamped or otherwise formed in thebase plate 54 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Alternatively, thecondensate tray 76 could be a separate insert secured to the base plate54. In such case, the condensate tray could be formed of a differentmaterial than the base plate, such as a non-metallic material, forexample ABS plastic, or stamped or otherwise formed from aluminum orother metallic material.

The condenser fan 72 draws ambient air through the condenser coil 70 toabsorb heat from the refrigerant passing through the condenser coil asin conventional practice to condense the refrigerant. The hot airexiting the condenser 70 accelerates in velocity as it passes throughthe converging channel 73 and into the exhaust channel 77. The highvelocity, hot air passing through the exhaust channel 77 passes over thesurface of the condensate collected in the condensate tray 76. The highvelocity characteristic of the hot air passing through the exhaustchannel 77 enhances the evaporation of condensate collected in thecondensate tray 76 as the rate of evaporation of the condensate isincreased due to increased air to condensate contact.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 in particular, a plastic liner 80 maybe inserted within the evaporator compartment 53 to protect the surfacesof the metal plates forming the structure of the refrigeration unitcassette 50 from chemical attack by liquids that might spill or flowinto the cassette from the product display region 100. The plastic liner80 constitutes a formed body having a flange 82 extendingcircumferentially thereabout, a downwardly slopping floor 84 at itsforward end and bowl-like depression 86 at its aft end. The plasticliner 80 is formed to fit within the compartment 53 superadjacent thedivision wall 68 with the flange 82 supported on the top flange 52 ofthe cassette 50. The bowl-like depression 86 is adapted to receive theevaporator module 160, which constitutes the evaporator 60, its housing64, and one or more evaporator fan/motor assemblies 62 mounted to theevaporator housing 64, each by means of a support bracket 66. Theevaporator module 160 is releaseably secured, for example by bolts orscrews, to the sides of liner 80 and or the side walls 56C of therefrigeration unit cassette 50. The bowl-like depression 86 are sized toaccommodate a range of evaporator modules of different capacity, therebyenabling a given refrigeration cassette to be used over a wide range ofrefrigeration capacities. It is to be understood that the liner 80 maybe formed from a non-plastic, formable material being more chemicallyresistant than the metal walls of the refrigeration cassette 50 andsufficient strength to support the evaporator module, such as forexample fiberglass.

The plastic liner 80 is contoured to have generous radii in order tominimize airflow losses as the refrigerated air passes from the productdisplay region 100 through the evaporator 60 and into the refrigeratedair supply duct 104. Additionally, a trough 88 may be formed in theslopping floor 84 of the liner 80 to collect and direct any liquid thatmay spill or flow into the refrigeration unit cassette 50.

A sealing system is provided including a sealing member 58 positionedbetween the lower wall 24 and the refrigeration cassette 50 and apositioning apparatus 150 for placing the refrigeration unit cassette 50into sealing relationship with the common wall, which in the depictedembodiment is the lower wall 24 that separates the refrigerated interiorproduct display space 100 from the equipment compartment 55. The sealingsystem prevents refrigerated air returning to the refrigeration unit 15from the product display space 100 from bypassing the evaporator 60 andinstead flowing directly into the inlet 108 to the air supply duct 104from the air return inlet 102. The sealing system also prevents ambientair from externally of the refrigeration unit cassette 50, such as theambient air that has been drawn through the front grille 12 to passthrough the condenser 70, from being drawn into the refrigerated airreturning to the refrigeration unit 15 through the air return inlet 102in the lower wall 24.

The sealing member 58 may be mounted to the under surface of the lowerwall 24 about the opening 102 in the lower wall 24, or may be mounted orsimply carried upon to the upper surface of the top flange 52 of therefrigeration unit cassette 50. The sealing member 58 extends at leastabout the opening 51A to the refrigeration cassette 50, as illustratedin FIG. 3, which is substantially commensurate with and is in flowcommunication with the opening 102 in the lower wall 24. The sealingmember 58 also may extend about the opening 51B provided rearward of theopening 51A, as illustrated in FIG. 3, which opens in flow communicationwith opening 108 in the lower wall 24. In the depicted embodiment thesealing member 58 takes the form of a rectangular frame extending alongthe top flange 52 with a cross member 58A extending along the top of thehousing 64 of the evaporator module 60.

The sealing member 58 may comprise one or more compressible sealsprovided on the refrigeration unit cassette 50 which are compressedagainst the lower wall 24 when the cassette refrigeration unit 50 israised within the compartment 55 by operation of the positioningapparatus 150. However, the sealing member 58 may also comprise one ormore non-compressible seals, such as contact seals, that coact with therespective opposing surfaces of the refrigeration unit cassette and ofthe common wall separating the refrigerated interior space from theequipment compartment and surrounding the respective openings therein toprovide the desired sealing arrangement therebetween when the cassetterefrigeration unit 50 is positioned by operation of the liftingapparatus 150 to sandwich the sealing member 58 therebetween.

The refrigeration cassette of the present invention has been describedherein with reference to the exemplary embodiments depicted in thedrawings for purposes of illustration and to facilitate understanding ofthe invention. Those skilled in the art will realize that modifications,some of which may have been alluded to hereinbefore, may be made to thedepicted embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

1. A refrigeration cassette for a refrigerated merchandiser having a cabinet having a refrigerated interior space for housing a product in a refrigerated environment intended for selection by consumers, said refrigeration cassette disposed in operative association with the interior space in an equipment compartment separated from the refrigerated interior space by a common wall, the common wall having a first opening therein providing air flow communication between the refrigerated interior space and the equipment compartment; said refrigeration cassette comprising: a generally box-like structure defining an interior space having a first section in air flow communication with said first opening, and a second section isolated from said first section and in fluid flow communication with the environment exterior of the cabinet; an evaporator module disposed within said first section; a condenser module disposed within said second section; and a compressor connected in refrigerant flow communication with said evaporator module and said condenser module for circulating refrigeration through said evaporator module and said condenser module; said box-like structure being selectively insertable in to and out of the equipment compartment.
 2. A refrigeration cassette as recited in claim 1 wherein said evaporator module includes a housing, an evaporator coil disposed within the housing, and an evaporator fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the evaporator coil and mounted to the housing.
 3. A refrigeration cassette as recited in claim 1 wherein said condenser module includes a condenser coil and a condenser fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the condenser coil.
 4. A refrigeration cassette as recited in claim 1 further comprising a liner disposed within said first section of the interior space of said box-like structure; said liner including a bowl-like depression adapted to receive said evaporator module.
 5. A refrigeration cassette as recited in claim 4 wherein said liner includes a downwardly sloping tray-like forward portion and an aft portion having a bowl-like depression.
 6. A refrigeration cassette as recited in claim 5 wherein said liner has contoured surfaces to reduce airflow losses.
 7. A refrigeration cassette as recited in claim 4 wherein said liner is made of a material having a relatively high chemical resistance.
 8. A refrigeration cassette as recited in claim 4 wherein said liner is made of a plastic material.
 9. A refrigeration cassette for a refrigerated merchandiser having a cabinet having a refrigerated interior space for housing a product in a refrigerated environment intended for selection by consumers, said refrigeration cassette disposed in operative association with the interior space in an equipment compartment separated from the refrigerated interior space by a common wall, the common wall having a first opening therein providing air flow communication between the refrigerated interior space and the equipment compartment; said refrigeration cassette comprising: a generally box-like structure a front plate, a back plate, a pair of side plates and a base plate collectively defining an interior space; a division wall extending between the respective side plates of said pair of side plates to divide the interior space within said box-like structure into a first section in air flow communication with said first opening, and a second section isolated from said first section and in fluid flow communication with the environment exterior of the cabinet; an evaporator module disposed within said first section; a condenser module disposed within said second section; and a compressor connected in refrigerant flow communication with said evaporator module and said condenser module for circulating refrigeration through said evaporator module and said condenser module; said box-like structure being selectively insertable in to and out of the equipment compartment.
 10. A refrigeration cassette as recited in claim 9 wherein said evaporator module includes a housing, an evaporator coil disposed within the housing, and at least one evaporator fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the evaporator coil and mounted to the housing.
 11. A refrigeration cassette as recited in claim 9 wherein said condenser module includes a condenser coil and a condenser fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the condenser coil.
 12. A refrigeration cassette as recited in claim 9 further comprising a liner disposed within said first section of the interior space of said box-like structure; said liner including a bowl-like depression adapted to receive said evaporator module.
 13. A refrigeration cassette as recited in claim 9 wherein said liner includes a downwardly sloping tray-like forward portion and an aft portion having a bowl-like depression.
 14. A refrigeration cassette as recited in claim 13 wherein said liner has contoured surfaces to reduce airflow losses.
 15. A refrigeration cassette as recited in claim 12 wherein said liner is made of a material having a relatively high chemical resistance.
 16. A refrigeration cassette as recited in claim 12 wherein said liner is made of a plastic material.
 17. A refrigerated merchandiser having a refrigerated interior space, comprising: a cabinet having a plurality of walls defining the interior space; a refrigeration unit compartment separated from the interior space by one of the plurality of cabinet walls as a common wall; an opening in the common wall providing an air return inlet establishing a flow passage from the interior space through said common wall into the compartment; a refrigeration cassette selectively positionable into and out of the refrigeration unit compartment, said refrigeration cassette having a front plate, a back plate, a pair of side plates and a base plate forming a box-like structure defining an interior space, and having a division wall dividing the interior space into a first section in air flow communication with the air return inlet and a second section isolated from said first section and in fluid flow communication with an environment exterior of the cabinet; an evaporator module disposed within said first section; a condenser module disposed within said second section; and a compressor connected in refrigerant flow communication with said evaporator module and said condenser module for circulating refrigeration through said evaporator module and said condenser module.
 18. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 17 wherein said evaporator module includes a housing, an evaporator coil disposed within the housing, and at least one evaporator fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the evaporator coil and mounted to the housing.
 19. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 18 wherein said condenser module includes a condenser coil and a condenser fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the condenser coil mounted to a common base adapted to be mounted to the base plate of said refrigeration cassette.
 20. A refrigeration merchandiser as recited in claim 17 wherein said evaporator module includes a housing, an evaporator coil disposed within the housing, and a plurality of evaporator fan/motor assemblies operatively associated with the evaporator coil and mounted to the housing. 